Door arrangement for baling presses



De- 28 1943. A. c. BARROWS ETAL 2,337,705

DOOR ARRNGEMENT FOR BALING' PRESSES Filed Feb. 2s, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l ELI-"DRD CEIHRRUWE $3343 www# I DeC 28 1943- A. c. BARRows ETAL 2,337,705

DOOR ARRANGEMENT FR BALING PRESSES Filed Feb. 23, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l www y jwuwwf/MA JDHN VHHIDLER HND QLFURD CEJHPPRDWE M QL Patented Dec. 28, 1943 DOOR ARRANGEMENT FOR BALING PRESSES Alford C. Barrows and John V. Haidler, Ann Arbor, Mich.

Application February 23, 1942, Serial No. 432,058

(Cl. Q- 19) 19` Claims.

The present invention relates to baling presses and more particularly to such presses having receding ends.

Baling presses are in general constructed with a baling chamber, the walls of which are formed by doors which areA opened to permit the removal of a formed bale. It frequently is desirable in baling practice to have the ends of the baling chamber arranged to recede or move outwardly upon the opening of the doors so that the covering conventionally applied to blades may be readily placed over the ends of the bale. One difficulty in providing receding ends for baling chambers is the fact that operative structure of the press including the chains for moving the compressing platen 'normally are positioned close to the ends outside of the ends of the chamber. According to the present invention, one end of the compression chamber is made recedable by providing tracks at the top and bottom of the closed position of each half of the end for providing for a predetermined path of movement of each half of the end as the side doors are opened.

Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a baling press with receding ends.

Another object of the invention is to provide a baling press having tracks at the ends of the press for determining the paths of movement of the end portions of at least one end of a baling press as doors thereof are opened.

Another object of the invention is to provide resilient means for resiliently urging a door end portion pivoted to a door side portion about its pivot, the pivotal movement of the end portion being limited in one position by a track and in another position by stopping means.

These and other objects residing in the arrangement, combination, and construction of the parts will be apparent; from the following specication when taken with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a press according to the present invention,

Fig. 2 is a View corresponding to Fig. 1 showing one door of the press in open position,

Fig. 3 is a section on the line III--III of Fig. 1, but showing one door in full open position in dotted outline,

Fig. 4 is a section on the line IV-IV of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 5 is a partial section on the line V-V oi Fig. 4.

Referring particularly to the drawings, .the reference character I indicates the base of a baling press having a baling chamber 2. The baling chamber 2 is defined by doors 3 and 4, the door 3' having end portions 4 and 5 and a side portion 6, and the door 4 having end portions I and 3 and a side portion 9. The baling chamber 2 is provided with a filling hopper IIJ.

Material in the baling chamber 2 is compressed by a compressing platen II, the compressing platen II being mounted on a platen bar I2 which is carried by endless chains I3 and I4 extending over sheaves I5 and I6, respectively. The chains I 3 and I4 are driven by suitable mechanism 2Q to move the platen II downwardly into the baling chamber 2 to form a bale and to return the same to its position shown in Fig. 1 following the forming of a bale, all in a known manner. To accommodate the platen bar I2 while the platen il is in the baling chamber 2, the end portions 4 and "I, and 5 and 8 are spaced respectively as is conventional. As shown in Fig. l, the chains I3 and I4 have the lower parts thereof adjacent the door end portions 4' and 5, and 'I and 8.

As shown particularly in Fig. 1, the side portion 9 of the door 4 is reinforced by a plurality of beams 22 having extensions 23, each of which is provided with an eye 24. The beams 22 may conveniently take the form of I beams and the eyes 24 comprise portions of the Webs of the I beams. Each eye 24 rests on a bracket 25 secured to a part of the frame 26 of the press, spaced outwardly from the end portions 5 and 8 of the doors 3 and 4. The brackets 25 each have an opening therethrough so that with a pin 27 extending through the eyes 24 -and the openings in the brackets 25, there is provided a hinge for the door 4. It Will be understood that the door 3 is likewise hinged to a part of the frame of the press corresponding to the part 26.

The end portion 8 of the door 4 is hinged to the side portion 9 of the door 4 by a plurality of hinges 23 as shown particularly in Figs. 2 and 4. Likewise, the end portion 5 of the door 3 is hinged to the side portion 6 of the door 3.

Above and below the closed position of each end portion 5 and 8 is provided a track 32 in the form of a bar. Each track 32 has disposed adjacent the central portion thereof a co-operating guide 33 fixed with respect to the track 32 and to the frame structure. The end portions 5 and 8, respectively, are provided at the inner ends thereof and at the tops and bottoms thereof, with pins 34. The pins 34 are directly secured to plates 34' which are secured to the tops and bottoms of the end portions 5 and 8.

It will be seen particularly from Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings that as the side portions 6 and 9 of the doors 3 and i are swung outwardly about their respective rods 21, the end portions and 8 will be drawn outwardly. The end portions 5 and 8 are provided with springs 35, each connected at one end to a pin 33, the pins 36 being secured to the end portions v5 and 8, respectively, and at the other end to a pin 3l', the pins 37 being secured to a beam extension 23 of the doors 3 and 4, respectively. Preferably, there are two springs 35 connecting each door end portion to its associated door side extension. As the doors 3 and 4 are opened, the springs 35 tend to swing the end portions 5 and 3, respectively, about their respective hinges 28 and thus draw the pins 34 against the respective tracks 32. In order to limit the amount that the end portions 5 and 8 may -be swung about their respective hinges 28, the end portions 5 and 8 are each provided with one or more specially shaped gusset plates Ile. Each gusset plate la is arranged at the same horizontal level as a beam extension 23 and is shaped so that after a predetermined pivoting of the end portions 5 and 3 about their respective hinges 28, further pivotal movement will be restricted by the gusset plates 40 engaging with an extension 23 as shown particularly in dotted outline in Fig. 3.

In Fig. 3 each track 32 is shown as inclined to the longitudinal horizontal axis of the press except at a portion il thereof adjacent the center of the press. The portion el of each track co-operates with a respective guide The speciiic shape of each track 32 is such that when the end portions 5 and 8 are at their closed positions such as is shown in full lines in Fig. 3, the end portions 5 and 8, respectively, are in position to denne the baling chamber. The guides 33 co-operate with the pins 34 and the track portions il to positively hold the end portions 5 and 8 in their closed positions. However, as each door is swung outwardly about its respective rod 27, each pin 34 follows its inclined track 32'to result in the end portions 5 and 8 receding outwardly away from a bale previously formed in the baling chamber. The gusset plates 40 are shaped so that as the pins 3ft approach the ends oi their respective tracks 32, thegusset plates l0 under the action of the springs 35 move into contact with a beam extension 23. Following this contact, upon opening movement of the doors, there is no further pivotal movement between the end portions 5 and 8 and the side portions 6 and 9, regardless of how much further outwardly the doors 3 and li are swung. The particular advantage of the gusset plates di! resides in the fact that the pins 3d are positioned in such a manner that as the doors 3 and 4 are swung towards closed position and the pins 3d approach the tracks 32, the pins 3e are in position to engage the tracks 32 to guide `the end portions 5 and 8 back to their proper closed positions.

In Fig. 4 is shown a partial view ci the upper tracks 32. While the lower tracks 32 are formed of a continuous bar, the upper tracks 32 are formed from two separate bars since a space must be provided separating the bars 32 to permit the passage between the end portions 5 and 8'for the platen bar I2 supporting the compressing platen ii, as it moves down into the baling chamber 2.

`It will be apparent from the foregoing specication that the present invention provides a structure wherein receding end portions for baling press doors are provided without in any way interfering with the platen operating chains 5 or other structure which may be adjacent the ends of the baling chamber. IIlius, the chains and other structure may be located close to the ends of the baling chamber and the effective length of the press as a whole reduced to a minimum. The track at the top and bottom of the closed positions of the end portions provides support, rigidly positioning the end portions of the press when under stress during compression. Also, both the top and the bottom of the end portions being supported are reinforced against racking or other strain. Still further, the structure according to the present invention makes possible receding ends for compression chambers without interfering with the filling hopper or other upper structure at the upper portion of the press structure. Another feature of the invention is that the structure permits opening the doors beyond 99. As shown in Fig. 3, doors according to the present invention may be opened at least 180.

While the invention has been disclosed as applied to a top lling baling press, it will be understood that it is equally applicable to bottom lling baling presses.

Having thus described our invention, what we desire to secure by Letters Patent and claim is:

l. In a press of the character described, a door having a side portion and an end portion, said portions being at substantially right angles when said door is closed, means pivoting one of said portions from the other of said portions, means pivoting saidportions for joint movementto open and close said door, a track at the top and bottom of the closed position of said end portion, and means on said end portion for co-operating with said tracks, whereby as said portions are pivoted about said second name-d pivoting means over a predetermined arc the free end of said end portion follows a predetermined path as determined by said tracks.

2. In a press of the character described, a door having a side portion and an end portion, said portions being at substantially right angles when said door is Closed, means pivoting one o f said portions from the, other of said portions, means pivoting said portions for joint movement to open and close said door, track means for denning a portion ci the path of movement of the outer end of said end portion when said portions are pivoted about saidA second named pivoting means, and means on said end portion for following said ltrack whereby as said portions are pivoted about-saidssecond named pivoting lmeans over a predetermined arc the free end` ofY said end portion follows a predetermined path.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein means is provided to limit the pivotal movement of said end portion with respect to said side portion.

4. The invention as deined in claim 2 wherein thereare provided means to limit the pivotal movement of said end portion and resilient means to urge said end portion about the `rst named pivoting means, the action of said resilient means in one position of said portions being resisted by said track and in another position, by said limiting means.

5. The invention as deined in claim 2 wherein the track `means is shaped'to cause the end portion to move outwardly away from a bale formed in the press as the door is opened.

6. In a press of the character described, a door having a side portion and an end portion, said portions being at substantially right angles when said door is closed, an extension from one end of said side portion, means pivoting said side portion about an axis on said extension to open and close said side portion with respect to said press, means pivoting said end portion to said side portion at the end thereof to which said extension is connected, means resiliently urging said end portion to pivot toward said extension, means to limit the distance said end portion may pivot toward said extension, track means for dening a portion of the path of movement of the outer end of said end portion when said side portion is pivoted, and means on said end portion for following said track.

7. In a press of the character described, a door having a side portion and an end portion, said portions being at substantially right angles when said door is closed, an extension from one end of said side portion, means pivoting said side portion about an axis on said extension to open and close said side portion with respect to said press, means pivoting said end portion to said side portion at the end thereof to which said extension is connected, track means for defining a portion of the path of movement of the outer end of said end portion when said side portion is pivoted, and means on said end portion for following said track.

8. In a press of the character described, a door having a side portion and an end portion, said portions being at substantially right angles when said door is closed, an extension from one end of said side portion, means pivoting said side portion about an axis on said extension to open and close said side portion with respect to said press, means pivoting said end portion to said side portion at the endthereof to which said extension is connected, track means for defining a portion of the path of movement of the outer end of said end portion when said side portion is pivoted, means on said end portion for following said track, and resilient means to urge said following means against said track means.

9. In a press of the character described, a door having a side portion and an end portion, said portions being at substantially right angles when said door is closed, an extension from one end of said side portion, means pivoting said side portion about an axis on said extension to open and close said side portion with respect to said press, means pivoting said end portion to said side portion at the end thereof to which said extension is connected, a track means at the top and bottom of the closed position of said end portion, and means on said end portion for co-operating with said track means, whereby as said portions are pivoted about said extension over a predetermined arc, the free end of said end portion follows a predetermined path as determined by said track means.

10. In a press of the character described, a door having a side portion and an end portion, said portions being at substantially right angles when said door is closed, an extension from one end of said side portion, means pivoting said side portion about an axis on said extension to open 4and close said side portion with respect to said press, means pivoting said end portion to said side portion at the end thereof to which said extension is connected, means resiliently urging said end portion to pivot toward said extension, abutment means between said end portion and extension and movable with said end portion to limit the distance said end portion may pivot toward said extension, track means for defining a portion of the path of movement of the outer end of said end portion when said side portion is pivoted, and means on said end portion for following said track.

11. In a press of the character described, a door having a side portion and an end portion, said portions being at substantially right angles when said door is closed, an extension from one end of said side portion, means pivoting said side portion about an axis on said extension to open and close said side portion with respect to said press, means pivoting said end portion to said side portion at the end thereof to which said extension is connected, a tension spring connected at one end to said extension and at the other end to said end portion urging said end portion to pivot toward said extension, means to limit the distance said end portion may pivot toward said extension, track means for defining a portion of the path of movement of the outer end of said end portion when said side portion is pivoted, and means on said end portion for following said track.

12. The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein the track means is shaped to cause the end portion to move outwardly away from a bale formed in the press as the door is opened.

13. In a press of the character described, a door having a side portion and an end portion, means pivoting said side portion about an axis spaced to one side thereof, means pivoting said end portion along one edge thereof to the edge of said side portion adjacent its pivotal axis, track means for dening a portion of the path of movement of the outer end of said end portion when said side portion is pivoted about its pivotal axis, and means for maintaining an operative relation between said track means and said end portion.

14. In a press of the character described, a door having a side portion and an end portion, means pivoting said side portion about an axis spaced to one side thereof, means pivoting Said end portion along one edge thereof to the edge of said side portion adjacent its pivotal axis, and track means for dening a portion of the path of movement of the outer end of said end portion when said side portion is pivoted about its pivotal axis.

15. In a press of the character described, a door having a side portion and an end portion, means pivoting said side portion about an axis spaced to one side thereof, means pivoting said end portion along one edge thereof to the edge of said side portion adjacent its pivotal axis, and means defining a portion of the path of movement of the outer end of said end portion when said side portion is pivoted about its pivotal axis, said last named means being arranged to relinquish control of said end portion after said side portion has pivoted a predetermined distance so as to permit said end portion and side portion to move as a unit free from restriction by said means after said side portion has pivoted said predetermined distance.

16. In a press of the character described, a door having a side portion and an end portion, means pivoting said side portion about an axis spaced to one side thereof, means pivoting said end portion along one edge thereof to the edge of said side portion adjacent its pivotal axis, and

means causing said end portion to recede when said side portion is pivoted about its pivotal axis, said last named means being arranged to relinquish control of said end portion after said side portion has pivoted a predetermined :distance so as to permit said end portion and side portion to move as a unit free from restriction by said means after said side portion has pivoted said predetermined distance.

17. In a press of the character described, a door having a side portion and an end portion, means pivoting said side portion about an axis spaced to one side thereof, means pivoting said end portion along one edge thereof to the edge of said side portion adjacent its pivotal axis, and means to swing said end portion about its pivotal axis as said side portion is pivoted about its pivotal axis, said swinging means being arranged to be operative over a predetermined pivotal movement of said side portion and thereafter being inoperative upon continued pivotal movement of said side portion.

18. In a press of the character described, a door having a side portion and an end portion, means pivoting said side portion about an axis spaced to one side thereof, means pivoting said and portion along one edge thereof to the edge of said side portion adjacent its pivotal axis, and means to swing` said end portion about its pivotal axis as said side portion is pivoted about its pivotal axis, said swinging means being arranged to be operative over a predetermined pivotal movement of said side portion and a stop on one of said portions engageable with means on the other of said portions to limit said swinging upon a predetermined pivotal movement of ysaid side portion, whereby upon the limiting of said swinging said portions move in fixed rela.- tive relation upon further pivoting of said side portion.

19. In a press of the character described, a pair of doors, each having a side portion and an end portion, means pivoting said side portions about axes each spaced to one side of said press, means pivoting each end portion along one edge thereof to the edge of one of said side portions adjacent its pivotal axis, and track means defining at least a part of the path of movement of said end portions when said side portions are pivoted outwardly about their respective pivotal axes, said end portions being arranged so that when said doors are closed, said end portions have the free ends thereof spaced apart for receiving operative structure of the press.

ALFORD C. BARROWS. JOHN V. HAIDLER. 

